Jimmy Deenihan (Kerry North-West Limerick, Fine Gael)

Reform was clearly on the agenda, but that is conveniently forgotten for reasons of political expediency. I have been in this House for a long number of years and whenever there was discussion on the arts, there was magnanimity. People bought into it and we supported the arts. I was the spokesman on the arts for a number of years and was always positive. Although I was in opposition for years, I did not use that as an excuse to do nothing for the arts. I have been steeped in the arts for the past 30 years and I have the projects to show for it. Nobody can question my commitment to the arts.

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